AN ISLE of Wight motorists who passed through a red light, causing a crash with another vehicle carrying a newborn baby onboard, was described by his friends as ‘the safest driver they knew’.

Leon Phillips, of Dairy Crest Drive, Newport, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Tuesday, September 24.

The 31-year-old admitted driving without due care and attention, in Newport, on January 30.

Prosecutor, Lauren McConnell, said the charge related to a crash involving two vehicles on Newport High Street, at its junction with St James’ Street.

She said Phillips passed through a red light while travelling along St James’ Street, colliding with an Audi on his left which was travelling along Newport High Street.

Ms McConnell said, among the passengers in the other vehicle was a newborn baby, and dashcam footage of the incident was shown in court.

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Nick Muir, defending, said Phillips held a clean driving licence and had been driving for 13 years.

He said he slowed down at a previous junction which had been his intended route, but when he noticed the road was closed, he had to change his route and became distracted when listening to the directions of his passenger.

Mr Muir told the bench Phillips was described by his friends as ‘the safest driver they knew’.

Phillips was fined £320, and his driving record was endorsed with six penalty points.

He was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £128 surcharge.